In the 30 days leading up to the start of Denver Broncos Training Camp 2016, we’re examining 30 big questions for the season. We’ll make a case for each answer; you’ll vote and tell Broncos Country what’s going to happen this year.
The Denver Broncos are looking to win back-to-back Super Bowls for the second time franchise history, but the road back to the Super Bowl will not be an easy one for the defending world champions.
Aside from the three-game gauntlet that the Broncos face to open the season, there are a few road games that the Broncos better keep their eye on or they could get caught sleeping and drop a game that could come back and haunt them come playoff time.
It’s never easy to win on the road in the National Football League, and that certainly seems like the case for the Broncos in an up-and-coming AFC West. But there are a few other road games to look out for with the season quickly approaching.
Aside from their week three meeting with Cincinnati Bengals, which non-divisional road game poses the biggest upset threat in 2016?
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars seem to have something in the mix after their previous two offseasons. The Jaguars signed former Broncos tight end Julius Thomas to a five-year, $46 million deal following the 2014 season. Just a few months ago, the Jaguars signed former Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson to a six-year, $85 million deal. The Jaguars look good on paper, and 2016 might be the year they finally look good on the field too. Quarterback Blake Bortles had a solid second year in the NFL. if the Jaguars start to build upon the roster they have, they could stun the Broncos when they head to Florida in Week 13.
Though, as the saying goes, games aren’t won on paper and the Jaguars haven’t been able to convert their spending into wins just yet. 2016 could wind up being no different. It doesn’t matter who the Jaguars add to their team if they don’t perform. The Broncos still have more than enough talent to go into Jacksonville and steamroll the Jaguars. If they stay ready for whatever the Jaguars throw at them, Bortles and the Jaguars offense will be no match for the dominant Denver defense.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints will always have a chance to win the game with Drew Brees playing quarterback. Although the Saints ended last season with a 7-9 record, they also managed to put up 408 points. With a little defense, the Saints might have snuck into a NFC Wild Card spot. If the “No Fly Zone” has an off day and the Broncos find themselves in a shootout with Brees and the Saints, it’s tough to think that any one of the Broncos’ quarterbacks could get the job done in the Superdome.
Although Brees is known for throwing the football, that just means there are more opportunities for the “No Fly Zone” to intercept passes and the Broncos front seven to get after him. Denver could head into the Superdome in Week 10 with their offense running like a well-oiled machine and make New Orleans defense pay dearly. As the Broncos have learned in their two previous Super Bowl appearances, a great defense trumps a great offense more often than not.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers seem to be headed in the right direction following quarterback Jameis Winston’s rookie season. They have the pieces to a nice offense with Doug Martin at running back and Mike Evans at wide receiver. The combination of the three could prove to give the Broncos a bit of a fit if they come in thinking it will be a cakewalk. The Buccaneers will catch the Broncos in Week 4, following their nightmare opening to the 2016 season. If Denver heads down to Tampa Bay looking forward to the following week they could easily leave with a loss.
While trending in the right direction, Tampa Bay still isn’t very good. Their 6-10 record in 2015 was good enough to land them in the basement of the NFC South. The Buccaneers also possess the 26th-ranked defense in 2015. The Broncos will ideally have their offense figured out a month into the season. If that happens to be the case they should run all over the Buccaneers. Denver’s defense should have absolutely no trouble stopping Winston and Company, all but sealing a Broncos Week 4 victory.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans had a rough year in 2015, partly because they lost quarterback Marcus Mariota to a MCL injury with four games remaining. Still, Mariota looks like he has the potential to be the Titans’ quarterback for years to come. That could be trouble for the Broncos when they head to Tennessee for their Week 14 matchup. Mariota and the Titans could steal a game from Denver late in the season if the Broncos get lazy with the playoffs ahead. Depending on how the standings look at that point in the season, a loss to the Titans could have huge playoff implications.
The Titans, like the Buccaneers, may have found their quarterback but they still aren’t very good. They only managed three wins in 2015, and only one of those came at home. Their 2015 defense ranked 27th, one below the Buccaneers. By this point in the season, the Broncos should be able to run all over a worn down Titans defense. Denver’s defense could have Mariota running for his life. The Broncos could leave Tennessee with the playoffs in their sights and a win in their back pocket.
What does Broncos Country think? Which non-divisional opponent poses the biggest upset threat?
30 QUESTIONS: Which of these Broncos road opponents poses the biggest upset threat?
— Mile High Sports (@MileHighSports) July 21, 2016
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